Argentinian Town Bans Beauty Pageants

Chivilcoy in Argentina has become the first place in the world to ban beauty competitions, citing sexism and the promotion of violence against women as the reasons. Which we think are pretty strong reasons.

It also said that the pageants promote anorexia, bulimia and other diseases and illnesses associated with physical beauty - in Latin America, beauty pageants are often the launchpad for careers in the entertainment industry, but they come at a price. Namely, having loads of strangers judge you on your looks amid the high stakes of either a) winning and having the career of your dreams (maybe) or b) losing and remaining anonymous, while now with added self loathing.

Really psychologically healthy. But, considering the competitions were once so prevalent - what will go in their place? The council have said they'll put on competitions recognising the achievements of young people in the community, alongside mask competitions and carnivals - which sound way more fun.

Mariano Anton of the National Institute against Discrimination and Xenophobia- Argentina's anti-discrimination watchdog - has lobbied for the scrapping of beauty competitions in schools to prevent attacks on participants, according to Clarin newspaper.

He said he's seen a lot of violence against young participants in various provinces because 'they were too beautiful'. Let's hope the rest of Argentina, and the world, take after Chivilcoy's excellent example.

Like this? You might also be interested in...

Torturous Diet Aids And Plastic Surgery: Behind The Scenes At Miss Venezuela

We're Unashamedly Rewatching Beauty Queens Or Bust

The Kit You Need To Get A Miss World Face

Follow Stevie on Twitter: @5tevieM

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.